Abstract Submission - SPEED INITIATIVE

Submission deadline extended to 30th June 2019

1. Organised sessions

We welcome abstracts for 90-minute sessions organised under either of the three ‘session types categories below:

Participatory sessions: These could be round table discussions, debates, ‘fishbowl’ discussions, simulations, games or any other approach that would actively encourage participation of the audience.
Structured presentations sessions: This involves 3-4 presentations on particular topic followed by audience discussion and interaction.
Skills-building sessions: These sessions will take format of workshops and might include for instance participatory teaching around a particular research methodology or software for analysis, a focus on innovative means of communicating results, working with the particular stakeholders e.g. media, private sector or having decision-makers and researchers work collaboratively. Sessions may take different formats, but the session participants should learn or practice specific skills. Therefore, please clearly explain in your submission the skill building goals and what skills you intend the participants to acquire.

Template for proposal for organised sessions:

Title (maximum 25 words)
Session type
Subtheme
Contact details of the session organizer
Contributors’ details: the session chair/ moderator and names of 3-5 contributors.
Session purpose and objectives (100 words)
Session format: A summary of the planned session process highlighting presentations and contributors, approach to session moderation/management and break down of how 90 minutes will be used.

Evaluation criteria

The Scientific Committee will assess organized sessions on the basis of: (i) technical merit; (ii) relevance to the Symposium theme; (iii) significance for the sub-theme area; (iv) engagement of policy-makers, managers and civil society groups (i.e. chair and those with planned roles); and (v) potential for active involvement by the audience. For skills building sessions, the following will be considered in addition to the above aspects: v) innovativeness of research approaches, methods and measures and vi) the skill building goals and what skills you intend the participants to acquire.

2. Individual abstracts

Those submitting individual abstracts will be required to submit the following information:

Title (maximum 25 words)
Speaker name and contact details
List of co-authors for listing in the abstract book, if applicable
Suitable Sub-theme
An abstract of 400 words or less

Abstract format

a) For experiences from interventions (i.e. policy, program, project or another initiative), the abstract should be structured as follows:

Issue/problem: Describe the issue/problem including the background and rationale, settings and time frame. Demonstrate how the issue addresses the sub-theme identified.
Objectives and Methods – describe objectives and methods.
Results (effects/changes): Present the results, ensuring the questions asked are properly answered. Statements such as ‘Results will be presented at the conference’ will not be accepted. If appropriate, state that the results are preliminary.
Lessons to date: State only those lessons that are directly supported by the project results. Highlight the importance of the lessons learnt for other settings/countries.
Main messages: Summarize the work in 2-3 brief key messagesb) For empirical research presentations a structured abstract should cover the following: issues/problem (background and rationale), objectives and methods, results and discussion, implication for policy or practice, conclusions and 2-3 main messages.c) For conceptual or theoretical research, abstracts should cover issues/problem, purpose, focus/content, implications and 2-3 main messages.

NOTE:

Individual abstracts may be accepted either for oral or poster presentation.
Oral presentation will last 10 minutes with 5 minutes allowed for questions.
A poster is a physical display that is no more than 120 cm by 80 cm in size.

Evaluation criteria

In line with the core principles of the Symposium, the Scientific Committee will be asked to assess individual abstracts on the basis of: (i) technical merit and ii) relevance. The following aspects will be considered.

Issue/Problem (describes the background and importance of study)
Specifies objectives and describes appropriate methods
Describes relevant results or main findings (that are directly related to the objectives and conclusions)
Draws valid conclusions from findings.
Comments on recommendation to practice or policy where suitable.
Is relevant to the conference audience
Offers new knowledge, demonstrates innovation, has the potential to challenge or change current practice and foster professional debate.
Is aligned with one of the sub themes of the conference or the overall theme.

3. Multimedia Presentations

A multimedia presentation could be a short film, documentary, animated film or photo-essay and should be no longer than 15 minutes in total presentation time.

Template for proposal for multimedia abstracts:

Title (maximum 25 words)
Subtheme
Contact details of the presenter
Presentation purpose and objectives (100 words)
Overview of the presentation/storyline (400 words)
Link to multimedia (if available)

Evaluation criteria

The Scientific Committee will assess multimedia presentations on the basis of: (i) technical merit; (ii) relevance to the Symposium theme; (iii) significance for the sub-theme area; (iv) engagement of key stakeholders (e.g policy-makers, managers and civil society groups) v) Innovativeness and (v) potential for active involvement by the audience.